Coupling device for detachable handles for pots and pans

ABSTRACT

A coupling device ( 4 ) for detachable handles of the type that are fitted to pots, pans, utensils of various kinds or the like, comprising a support ( 5 ) having two coupling parts opposite to each other, of which a first part ( 6 ) comprises means for fixing to a gudgeon ( 2 ) or other similar coupling element integral with the pan ( 1 ) and a second part ( 7 ), opposite the previous one, comprises means designed to hold the end of a handle ( 3 ) or the like. Said means designed for coupling with the gudgeon comprise engaging and/or pressure clamping elements that act on said gudgeon.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application refers to a coupling device fordetachable handles similar to those that can be fitted to pots, pans andthe like, or to utensils in general.

[0002] This is a device which constitutes an evolution, but whichdiffers from a mechanical point of view from a similar gripping elementfor pots, pans and the like, previously designed by the same applicant,regarding a new concept that makes it possible to attach removable typehandles to pots, pans and the like to satisfy practical requirements inthe use of these containers, in other words first of all theinterchangeability of the pieces.

[0003] The present invention aims to achieve at least two advantageousgoals: the possibility of using the same handles for various pans andthe possibility of storing the containers without their handles, inorder to save space which is well-known to be at a premium in kitchens,for example if it is necessary to store the container in a refrigerator,or for cooking in the oven or during dishwashing.

[0004] The background art in the household articles sector, andparticularly as far as containers for cooking are concerned, includescertain contrivances that makes pots, pans and cooking containers ingeneral more functional as well as of more handy use, at least from thepoint of view of safety during cooking.

[0005] Document GB-A-1078089 describes a coupling device for detachablehandles of the type that are fitted to pots, pans, utensils of variouskinds or the like, comprising a support (3) having two coupling partsopposite to each other, the first coupling part (4) comprising means forfixing the support to a gudgeon (8) or other similar coupling elementintegral with the pan, the second coupling part, which is locatedopposite the first coupling part, comprising means designed to hold theend of the handle (2) or the like, whereby the first coupling meanscomprise engaging elements that act on said gudgeon. Furthermore# thefirst part has a groove to engage th corresponding shape of the gudgeon,whereas the second coupling part has a hole for accommodating a screw(9) for securing the handle to the support, coupling means (5,6) arealso provided

[0006] The coupling device described in GB-A-1078089 is clearly featuredfor stable connection.

[0007] Document AU-B-417138 describes means for fixing handles to panswherein a bracket is secured at one of its ends to be connect d to thepan and th handle is fix d to the other handle supporting end thereof.Said means comprises a tang formed on the handle supporting end of thebracket which is being bifurcated by a Blot formed longitudinallytherein.

[0008] Document CH-A-254760 describes a casserole with a handle which isconnected to the body of said casserole by means of a support (5)comprising two lateral wings (6). Screw type clamping means (11, 12) areinserted at approximately right angles with respect to the axis of thegudgeon perforating the same.

[0009] Also the coupling devices described in AU-B-417138 andCH-A-254760 are intended to permanently fix the handle to a relatedcooking utensil.

[0010] In particular the need has arisen in this sector to produceremovable or detachable handles, and a number of products have beenpresented on the market that foresee the possibility of usinginterchangeable handles, although these have proved in some cases to beimpractical and in others so complicated and costly as to make themunacceptable or in any case inadequate for market requirements.

[0011] A solution conceived by the same applicant (see italian patentapplication No. VR200A000103) concerns a coupling system for removablehandles of containers in general, capable of overcoming the limitationsof the known solutions by means of the implementation of a mechanicalprinciple new to the sector, in other words an eccentric system, whichcan be used to attach handles to the edges of pots or pans, or to theirgudgeon, by means of an eccentric system.

[0012] According to the present invention, an evolution of this couplingsystem for handles is proposed which, in this case, is even moresimplified with respect to the solution mentioned above, since amechanical system is used which, unlike the former solution, must makeuse of a gudgeon already present on the pan and fixed to the same, butwhich is safer and easier to use.

[0013] The immediate advantage achieved by this innovation is the evengreater construction simplicity, with the consequent reduction inproduction costs, and moreover a certain simplification also from thepoint of view of its use.

[0014] Another advantage of this solution is the fact that the handleswith universal couplings already on the market can be attached to thegudgeon, and that it also adapts to the different types of pots and pansof various shapes on the market, without the need to further alter theshapes commonly used in the sector.

[0015] The aims and advantages indicated above are all achieved by meansof a coupling device for detachable handles of the type that are fittedto pots, pans or the like having the features disclosed in claim 1.

[0016] The dependent claims outline advantageous forms of embodiment ofthe invention.

[0017] Additional features and details of the invention will be betterunderstood from the description which follows, given as a non-bindingexample, referring to the attached drawings in which:

[0018]FIG. 1 represents an exploded cross section Bide view of thegudgeon coupling element which also acts as a support for a handle orthe like;

[0019]FIG. 2 is the Bide view of the coupling device on which the handleis fixed;

[0020]FIG. 3 is the side view of the coupling device on which the handleis fixed and its subsequent fixing to the gudgeon of the pan;

[0021]FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the coupling device detached from thegudgeon;

[0022]FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the coupling device attached to thegudgeon;

[0023]FIG. 6 is a front view of the coupling device;

[0024]FIG. 7 is a front view of the coupling device, in this casecomprising supplementary means for fixing the gudgeon;

[0025]FIG. 8 is a front view of the coupling device, in this casecomprising supplementary means for fixing the gudgeon in which theclamping elements are integral with the support element;

[0026]FIG. 9 represents an exploded perspective view, slightly fromabove, of the gudgeon coupling element which also acts as a support fora handle or the like.

[0027] With reference to the attached figures, number 1 indicates a potor pan of the type that comprises a traditional shape gudgeon 2, i.e.generally parallelepiped or other similar shape appropriate to hold ahandle or in general a gripping element 3.

[0028] According to the invention, the handle 3 is not fixed directlyonto the gudgeon 2 but that an intermediat coupling element is used,indicated globally by 4, comprising means for the rapid coupling anduncoupling of the handle with respect to the gudgeon.

[0029] This makes it possible to remove or fit the handle 3 very easilyas needed, to satisfy for example the various requirements related tothe encumbrance having to store the pans in the kitchen cupboards andthen use them with the handle when cooking.

[0030] The particularity of the invention is in fact the presence of thecoupling element 4, which consists of a substantially hollow support 5presenting two coupling parts opposite each other; a first partcomprising a housing 6 for the gudgeon 2 integral with the pan, and asecond part 7, opposite the first, comprising a piece with a threadedhousing 8, visible in FIG. 1.

[0031] The shape of part 7, which can be equipped with a centering punch7′ designed to be inserted in a corresponding housing 7″ already presentin the gudgeon 2, is designed to hold the coupling end of a handle orthe like, which is fixed by means of a screw 9, inserted in turn in thethreaded housing 8, after passing through the hole 10 generally found inthe handle.

[0032] According to a feature of the invention particular means areprovided which clamp the support 5 on the gudgeon. These means compriseclamping elements which, according to a particular embodiment, can bethe screw type, indicated with number 11, which are inserted at rightangles with respect to the axis of the gudgeon.

[0033] In the example shown, there are two screws 11 with oppositethreads, i.e. one with a right thread and the other with a left thread,which are inserted in the corresponding threaded housings 12 (FIGS. 4and 5) integral with the aforesaid support 5.

[0034] A lever arm 13 is fixed to the two protruding heads of the screws11, joining them together and making it possible, by moving the leverarm, to tighten or loosen the screws 11 simultaneously, to clamp orrelease the support 5 on the gudgeon 2.

[0035] It is obvious that the screws 11, having opposit threads, willmove away from or closer to the gudgeon to the same extent on bothsides, so as to allow the handle 3 to be clamped or released.

[0036] The use of the coupling device according to this invention thusprovides that the handle 3 is fixed to the support 5 by means of thescrew 9 and that the support 5 is then fixed to the gudgeon 2 while thelever arm 13 is in the raised position.

[0037] Once the support 5 has been fixed to the gudgeon, it is enough tolower the lever 13 until the parts are fully clamped around the gudgeonfrom two diametrically opposite directions.

[0038] Rather than directly clamping the gudgeon, the two screws 11 withopposite threads can advantageously exert their action by means of anintermediate flexible element 14, made for example of metal, such assteel or aluminium, which surrounds the gudgeon, acting as a protectiveand clamping element.

[0039] According to a particular form of embodiment, this protectiveelement 14 can be integral with the support 5 as shown in the crosssection in FIG. 8.

[0040] A person skilled in the art will able to provide furtherconstruction variations both as regards the support 5, and the screwswith opposite threads or the lever arm that operates them, obtainingsolutions which can be considered as part of the present invention, theparticular features of which are defined in the following claims.

[0041] For example a variation is foreseen according to which, insteadof the opposite thread screws 11, a closing system can be used whichcomprises a grub screw inserted in a rotating pin, which slides in anangled slot cut in the channel, or in the support 12, guiding the pinforwards and backwards, as with screws.

[0042] Similarly, instead of the screws and/or the grub screw sliding inan angled slot, a clamping system can be used which consists of a pairof consecutive cylinders whose contact surfaces are angled according toa cross section on a plane not at right angles with respect to the axisof the cylinders.

[0043] In this case too the reciprocal rotation of the two cylinders,one of which acts as a pivot opposing the other one, allows them to movetowards or away from the gudgeon on which they are clamped.

[0044] A further possibility is that the clamping system by means ofscrews/grub screw—angled slot/cylinders with misaligned planes cancomprise either elements arranged in opposite pairs with respect to thegudgeon or single elements.

[0045] An other particularly advantageous form of embodiment of thepresent invention refers to a coupling device as represented in FIG. 9in which the clamping means comprise a pair of eccentric pins housed inthe intermediate coupling element 4 at the level of the hollow support 5made for example of an extruded and worked section in aluminium whichcan be housed inside a metal ring 23 suitable on one side to follow theprofile of the pot or pan and the like and on the other side to receiveits handle.

[0046] The pins 11 are connected by means of an eccentric tooth 21 to anelement 22 that blocks in use the gudgeon to the coupling element 4rotating said pins 11.

1. A coupling device (4) for detachable handles of the type that arefitted to pots, pans, utensils of various kinds or the like, comprisinga support (5) with two coupling parts opposite to each other, of which afirst part (6) comprises fixing means to a gudgeon (2) or other similarcoupling element integral with the pan (1) and a second part (7),opposite to the previous one, comprises means designed to hold the endof a handle (3) or the like, and further comprises means designed to fixsaid support (5) to said gudgeon (2) characterized in that said fixingmeans are constituted by at least one fastening or clamping element (11)horizontally pivoted inside the support (5) and inserted approximatelyat right angles with respect to the axis of the gudgeon to clamp orrelease the support (5) on the gudgeon (2), thereby exerting a pressureon the body of said gudgeon (2), said at least on fastening or clampingelement being connected to an actuating means (13) acting on saidelement (11) in order to clamp the support (5) on the gudgeon (2) or torelease it therefrom.
 2. A coupling device for detachable handlesaccording to claim 1 characterised in that it comprises two fastening orclamping elements (11) horizontally pivoted inside the support (5) andinserted approximately at right angles with respect to the axis of thegudgeon to clamp or release the support (5) on the gudgeon (2) exertinga pressure on the body of said gudgeon (2), both connected to anactuating means (13) making possible, by moving the said actuating means(13), to tighten or loosen simultaneously the elements (11) to clamp orrelease the support (5) on the gudgeon (2).
 3. A coupling device fordetachable handles according to claim 1, characterised in that saidmeans designed for the fixing of said support (5) to the gudgeon (2)comprise screw type clamping elements (11), which are inserted at rightangles with respect to the axis of the gudgeon and have oppositethreads, one right and one left, which are inserted in correspondingthreaded housings (12) integral with said support (5) and a lever arm(13) is fixed to the protruding heads of the clamping elements (11)joining them together and making it possible, by moving the lever arm,to tighten or loosen the element (11) simultaneously, to clamp orrelease the support (5) on the gudgeon (2).
 4. A coupling device fordetachable handles according to claim 2, characterised in that thescrews (11), having opposite threads, one right and the other left, willmove away from or closer to the gudgeon to the same extent on both sidesduring their rotation, so as to allow the handle (3) to be clamped orreleased.
 5. A coupling device for detachable handles according toanyone of the preceding claims, characterised in that the clampingelement fixing means (11) clamp the gudgeon by means of an intermediateflexible element (14) rather than directly.
 6. A coupling device fordetachable handles according to claim 5, characterised in that saidflexible element (14) is integral with said support (5).
 7. A couplingdevice for detachable handles according to either claim 5 or 6,characterised in that said flexible element (14) is made of metal.
 8. Acoupling device for detachable handles according to claim 7,characterised in that said flexible element (14) is made of aluminium orsteel.
 9. A coupling device for detachable handles according to any oneof the preceding claims, characterised in that said coupling element (4)comprises a substantially hollow support (5) presenting two couplingparts opposite each other; a first part comprising a housing (6) forcoupling with the gudgeon (2) integral with the pan, and a second part(7), opposite the first, comprising a piece with a threaded housing (8).10. A coupling device for detachable handles according to any one of thepreceding claims, characterised in that the shape of said second part(7), which is equipped with a centering punch (7′) designed to beinserted in a corresponding housing (7″) already present in th gudgeon(2), is designed to hold the coupling end of a handle or the like, whichis fixed by means of a screw (9), in turn inserted and screwed into thethreaded hole (8), after passing through the hole (10) generally foundin the handle.
 11. A coupling device for detachable handles according toclaim 1, characterised in that the clamping elements comprise a grubscrew inserted in a rotating pin, which slides in an angled slot cut inthe channel, or in the support (12), guiding the pin forwards andbackwards.
 12. A coupling device for detachable handles according toclaim 1, characterised in that the clamping elements comprise a pair ofconsecutive cylinders whose contact surfaces are angled according to across section on a plane not at right angles with respect to the axis ofthe cylinders.
 13. A coupling device for detachable handles according toanyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clampingsystem comprises elements arranged in opposite pairs with respect to thegudgeon, or elements that act individually with said gudgeon.
 14. Acoupling device for detachable handles according to claim 1,characterised in that the clamping element comprise a pair of eccentricpins (11) connected trough their eccentric portion (21) to an element(22) blocking in use the gudgeon to the coupling device (4) by rotatingthe eccentric pins (11).
 15. A coupling device for detachable handlesaccording to anyone of the preceding claims, characterised in that saidsubstantially hollow support (5) presenting two coupling parts oppositeeach other is an extruded and worked section.
 16. A coupling device fordetachable handles according to anyone of the preceding claims,characterised in that said support (5) is housed inside a ring (23).